Pages

Search This Blog

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 25 — Tunku Zain Al-Abidin Tuanku Muhriz showed his support today for the fight to retain the teaching and learning of science and mathematics in English (PPSMI), along with other parents’ groups. Tunku Zain who is the second son of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan, is also the founding president of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas), a libertarian think tank dedicated to promoting market-based solutions to public policy challenges.

“This campaign is not about being elitist. It is about respecting the rights of parents, rich or poor, who think that their children’s futures are best served by giving them a say. “It is also not about the superiority of one language over another; rather it is about an overriding democratic principle. The idea that parents can shape the education of their children, and that government policies must always allow as much choice to parents as possible,” he said at a Parent Action Group for Education Malaysia (Page) press conference here at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial.

The prince said he had been warned not to speak on this issue as it is considered sensitive and “too political”.
“I have ignored their advice. This issue is too important, at the cost of short-, medium-, and long-term consequences for our children, for our families and for our nation. Tunku Zain also pointed out that a poll on Facebook showed that more than 6,000 students prefer mathematics and science to be taught in English, while 213 others preferred Malay.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin waded into the fierce debate over the use of English in the teaching of science and mathematics in school, saying Malaysians cannot afford to “sacrifice” Bahasa Malaysia for other languages, last month. Muhyiddin, who is also education minister, said that while the government recognised the importance of English as an international language, Bahasa Malaysia will continue to be used as the main medium of instruction in national schools.

He said Malaysians needed to cultivate an attitude where they treated Bahasa Malaysia as a “unique” language, and that if no importance was placed on it, the language risked becoming obsolete.
Pro-English lobby groups like Page have sought the reinstatement of the teaching of science and mathematics in English since it was abolished in 2009. Page has urged that schools be allowed to teach science and mathematics in English, citing widespread support from parents who are in favour of it.
PPSMI was first introduced in 2003 but the Education Ministry decided to put an end to it by 2012 after consulting teachers and parents around the country.

In the uproar that ensued, Putrajaya introduced MBMMBI, which will see the teaching of mathematics and science revert to Bahasa Malaysia from 2012 with more contact hours for English in order to improve students’ skills in the language. In May, The Malaysian Insider reported that the Najib administration had decided not to switch back to PPSMI because several Cabinet ministers felt any change would be seen as another embarrassing flip-flop.

“It is important to have stability in our policies. There have been so many flip-flops in recent times and this is damaging and it is in fact immoral I would say, and economically damaging to let the next generation of Malaysians be the victims of these political games,” the prince said. Tunku Zain said Ideas was inspired by Almarhum Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj and in his time, he said he was a strong advocate of the use of English in education. “He also said education, at whatever level, can make or unmake a man, or a woman. In the same way, it can make or unmake a nation. Our leaders are well aware of it and they make sure their children receive the best education possible.

“In contrast, boys in the kampungs do not have the same opportunities. My job is to give them the best possible education,” he said. Like his older brother, Tunku Zain received his primary education at the Alice Smith School before boarding at Marlborough College in Wiltshire, England.

By using Einstein mass-energy equation, an enormous nuclear energy can be produced within a short time. This is especially true when Albert Einstein himself signed a letter to US President Franklin Roosevelt urging that the nuclear bomb be built to stop the aggression of Nazi and Japanese during the World War II.

In the limit where S approaches F, the image distance approaches infinity, and the image can be either real or virtual and either upright or inverted depending on whether S approaches F from above or below.

F < S < 2F
(Object between focus and centre of curvature)

Real

Inverted (vertically)

Magnified (larger)

S = 2F
(Object at centre of curvature)

Real

Inverted (vertically)

Same size

Image formed at centre of curvature

S > 2F
(Object beyond centre of curvature)

Real

Inverted (vertically)

Reduced (diminished/smaller)

As the distance of the object increases, the image asymptotically approaches the focal point

In the limit where S approaches infinity, the image size approaches zero as the image approaches F

Ethene reacts with H2 at 180 °C in the presence of nickel or platinum catalyst to produce ethane

Click on the diagram below to play!

Application of hydrogenation: Making Margarine

Vegetable oils often contain high proportions of polyunsaturated and mono-unsaturated fats (oils), and as a result are liquids at room temperature. That makes them messy to spread on your bread or toast, and inconvenient for some baking purposes.

You can "harden" (raise the melting point of) the oil by hydrogenating it in the presence of a nickel catalyst. Conditions (like the precise temperature, or the length of time the hydrogen is passed through the oil) are carefully controlled so that some, but not necessarily all, of the carbon-carbon double bonds are hydrogenated. This produces a "partially hydrogenated oil" or "partially hydrogenated fat".

Thursday, October 20, 2011

If neutrons from the fission of uranium-235 continue to split other nuclei causing further fission, a chain reaction has occurred.

A chain reaction refers to a process in which neutrons released in fission produce an additional fission in at least one further nucleus. This nucleus in turn produces neutrons, and the process repeats.

The process may be controlled (nuclear power) or uncontrolled (nuclear weapons).

In order for a chain reaction to take place, a minimum of one neutron from each fission must trigger further fission.

At the same time, the mass of fission material must exceed a certain minimal mass known as the critical mass.

A critical mass is the smallest amount of fissile material needed for a sustained nuclear chain reaction. The critical mass of a fissionable material depends upon its nuclear properties (e.g. the nuclear fission cross-section), its density, its shape, its enrichment, its purity, its temperature and its surroundings.

If the material is less than this critical mass, too many neutrons escape without hitting any nuclei thus preventing a chain reaction from happening.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

China has improved tremendously for the past two decades in terms of economic, military, space exploration, sports, super infrastructures, magnificent skyscrapers, and so on. Despite of these achievements, China is experiencing a drop in moral values among its citizen. I am saddened that China now lacks of good Samaritan. What is so proud about being a superpower nation when its people lacks of showing love to others? Buck up China, rule the world with love.

I pray that God's love will sweep across the China and brings revival to its people. God loves China.

Monday, October 17, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 17 — A World Bank publication has found that standards at Universiti Malaya have fallen and the institution has been kept at a disadvantage because of race-based admission quotas and political interference in university management. In contrast, Singapore’s decision to prioritise research, keeping English as the medium of instruction and a merit-based admissions policy have all contributed to the success of the National University of Singapore’s success, according to “The Road to Academic Excellence,” which studies what contributes to a world-class research university.

The study also noted that Malaysian secondary school students are not well prepared for tertiary education.
It points out that the Malaysian education system promotes rote learning, conformity and uniformity rather than fresh and creative thinking. The study is led by two scholars — Philip Altbach and Jamil Salmi — while various chapters see contributions from various academics.

According to the study, “at an early stage, the Singapore government realised the universities’ role in sustaining economic growth. “In contrast, after 1970, UM’s institutional goals reflected the New Economic Policy, an affirmative action plan for ethnic Malays and indigenous groups, put in place in the wake of disastrous 1969 ethnic riots that took the lives of hundreds of people on both sides of the racial divide.,” the study found. The authors said that apart from the student quota system, the NEP translated into more scholarships to Bumiputeras, special programmes to facilitate their entry into higher education institutions, and the use of the Malay language in place of English in the entire education system by 1983.

“In UM and in government, the policy impact spiralled upward so that Bumiputera staff members, over time, secured almost all senior management, administrative, and academic positions. “As NUS kept pace with the demands of a growing economy that sought to become competitive internationally, with English continuing as the language of instruction and research, UM began to focus inward as proficiency in English declined in favour of the national language — Bahasa Malaysia — and the New Economic Policy’s social goals took precedence.”

Ammonia usually produces white fumes of ammonium chloride when reacted with hydrogen chloride.

The main uses of ammonia are:

Manufacturing nitrogen fertilizers

Manufacturing nitric acid through Ostwald process.

To make explosives, dyes, household cleaners and nylon

As a cooling agent.

Making of Ammonia

Ammonia is manufactured by combining nitrogen and hydrogen in an important industrial process called the Haber process. The reaction is reversible and the production of ammonia is exothermic.

Nitrogen gas is obtained from the fractional distillation of liquid air.

Hydrogen gas is obtained through the reaction between natural gas and steam.

Nitrogen and hydrogen are mixed in the ratio of 1 : 3

Click on the diagram below to play!

How to separate ammonia

When the gases leave the reactor they are hot and at a very high pressure. Ammonia is easily liquefied under pressure as long as it isn't too hot, and so the temperature of the mixture is lowered enough for the ammonia to turn to a liquid. The nitrogen and hydrogen remain as gases even under these high pressures, and can be recycled.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Chemical energy is needed to transform a chemical substance into a new product through chemical reaction. Therefore, breaking or formation of chemical bond involves energy, which may be either absorbed or released from a chemical reaction.

To break the chemical bond, energy from surrounding is absorbed resulting decrease of temperature of surrounding.

To form the chemical bond, energy from reaction is released to the surrounding resulting increase of temperature of surrounding.

Exothermic Reaction

Endothermic Reaction

Chemical reaction that gives out heat to the surroundings.

Chemical reaction that absorbs heat from the surroundings.

Temperature of the surroundings increases.

Temperature of the surroundings decreases.

The total energy of reactants is more than total the energy of products.

The total energy of reactants is less than the total energy of products.

Bond formation releases more energy than is required in the bond breaking.

Bond breaking requires more energy than the energy that is released during bond formation

Monday, October 10, 2011

He was so awesome, handsome, genius, wealthy, creative, innovative, talented salesman and gifted entrepreneur. He was almost near perfect in every aspects in human eyes. I thanks God for his wonderful creature named STEVE JOBS. With his foresight, he invented something that we don't even know that we really needed. He was a great trendsetter, started numerous fashion products that others copy.

But, he has gone.................................

He was 56 years old before he took his last breath. It was too sudden for the world to accept his death news. His fighting spirit against all odds should be remembered. The moment he knew his life is going to end soon, he totally changed. Without wasting time, he determined himself to do something in a more meaningful way in his life. His words describe all his thoughts about life ....

Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful… that’s what matters to me.”

“We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.”

“Almost everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”

Not only that, he loves his loved ones................

This above picture I like the most one and taken after Steve Jobs icloud's presentation. It tells you something ...........that I can't describe it with words.

Life is really very brief. From the young Steve Jobs to the bedridden patient. Nobody can escape death. Steve Jobs has all the resources to heal his long-fighting pancreatic cancer. He has money, he has the best doctor, he has the best medical facilities but still can't run away from death. One day, we all sooner or later will also going to face death as Steve Jobs encountered. But, he had proved that he did something wonderful to the world before he passed away. Not many people able to do it. There are still many people live with no purpose in their life. So pathetic ...! We should all emulate Steve Jobs fighting spirit for his clear goal.

Anyway, I still have this thought that play in my mind. A thoughts that many people ignored it or pretended that it is not exists. For me, this is very important spiritually thoughts.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Parents will no longer have to pay school fees for their children in primary and secondary education. No more fees for co-curriculum, internal test papers, Malaysian Schools Sports Council fees and insurance premium

One-off RM200 cash voucher for all school pupils and higher learning institution students.

RM1 billion allocation through a special fund for the construction, improvement and maintenance of schools in need of upgrades. RM500 million would be allocated to national schools while national-type Chinese and Tamil schools, government-assisted religious schools, mission schools and Mara junior science colleges will receive RM100 million each.

Tax exemption on contributions to educational institutions.

Private schools registered with the Education Ministry will be given incentives including an Investment Tax Allowance

How about teacher.....?

Another half month bonus will be paid on December.

Civil service salary hikes of between seven and 13 per cent.

Increase in the rate of automatic annual increments in civil service salaries of between RM80 and RM320.

Pensioner teacher will get 2% increment annually.

Teacher who opt for EPF will get 1% contribution from employer for earning RM 5000 and below.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — No Malaysian university made the grade in this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, which lists the world’s top 400 universities. This is despite Universiti Malaya’s (UM) greatly improved performance in last month’s QS World University Rankings, leaping 40 places from 2010 to 167.Malaysia’s oldest university was the only local institution to breach the QS top 200 mark after improving its academic, employment and international scores.

US, UK and European universities continued their traditional domination of the league tables in the THE rankings released yesterday. The California Institute of Technology — or Caltech — secured top spot, followed by Harvard, Stanford, Oxford, Princeton. In the bottom half of the top 10 were Cambridge University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Imperial College London, Chicago University and Berkeley.

Only 18 Asian universities made the top 200, led by the University of Tokyo (30), University of Hong Kong (34), National University of Singapore (40) and Peking University (49). Pohang University of Science and Technology (53), Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (94) and Seoul National University (124) — all from South Korea — also made the cut.

Down under, University of Melbourne (37) beat rivals Australian National University (38) and the University of Sydney (58) to be the highest ranked Australian university in the top 200. The THE rankings, which first appeared as a supplement in The Times of London, are now published by the Times Higher Education magazine. The weekly is regarded as the UK’s leading higher education publication.

The angle of incidence is the angle between normal line and the incident ray.

The angle of reflection is the angle between normal line and the reflected ray.

If the reflecting surface is very smooth, the reflection of light that occurs is called specular or regular reflection. The laws of reflection are as follows:

The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal to the reflection surface at the point of the incidence lie in the same plane.

The angle of incidence is equal to angle of reflection.

The reflected ray and the incident ray are on the opposite sides of the normal.

Ray Diagram

Characteristic of image formed

Virtual

Upright

Laterally inverted

Same size as the object

As far behind the mirror as the object is in front of it.

Uses of ray diagram

Six students - Al, Bo, Cy, Di, Ed, and Fred sit in front of a plane mirror and attempt to see each other in the mirror. Whom can Al see?

Al could see any student positioned between Ed and Fred by looking at any other positions along the mirror. However in this case, there are no other students between Ed and Fred; thus, Ed and Fred are the only students whom Al can see.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

KUALA LUMPUR: The five “Cs” cash, condominium, car, credit card, country club are old hat. Malaysian youth today are all about the five “Bs” billions, Benz, brains, body and bungalow in a partner. Inspirational trainer Chew Hoong Ling, who will be speaking at youth forum Kahwin 4.0 this Saturday, said demand for quality partners from both sexes had increased in tandem with modern times.

“You might want a (Mercedes) Benz or Bentley but get a partner who drives a 15-year-old car. Instead of just a career and cash, you want your partner to have billions,” she joked when interviewed yesterday. On a serious note, she said these five “Bs” did not guarantee a happy marriage as they were merely materialistic demands.

In a voltaic cell, two different metals are used to create a potential difference. A higher metal in the electrochemical series ...

Google+ Badge

The Power of Teachers

"Any nation is as great, as good, as its citizens make it........It is teachers more than any other single group of people who determine attitudes, and who shape the ideas and aspirations of the nation." Julius Nyerere, 1966